Richmond County Marshal’s Office to expand Augusta cleanup efforts

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - At the beginning of March, $140,000 in tax money was approved by Augusta Commissioners to expand the Richmond County Marshal’s Office litter program.

But even with the transition advancing to a now-weekly cleanup, the marshal’s office says they’re still digging up tons of trash.

“We’ll clean up and by the time we hit five or six different locations, and we come back to the original location, it’s already re-littered. If not, within that same week,” said Corporal Ramon Apolinario with the marshal’s office.

From to bagging and tagging, people on probation are able to check off court-mandated community service hours through cleaning, while the marshal’s office is trying to chip away at the bigger picture.

Corporal Shawn Rhodes said: “We asked the community to come together to educate their neighbors, their children, their grandchildren that a cleaner environment is a safer environment and that’s the only way we’re going to accomplish that is with the community’s help.”

Since the program began in January 2023, more than 770 trash bags have been filled and almost 300 tires have been found, culminating in a pile that weighs in at almost 400,000 pounds.

“Not just from vehicles but also from commercial properties that don’t have their dumpsters covered properly,” said Apolinario.

Apolinario is the assigned corporal leading the effort.

Regardless of hitting two dozen roads with his probationers, he says it’s an ongoing effort.

“This affords a positive impact to our citizens by providing clean roadways every day,” said Apolinario.

The marshal’s office is asking for everyone’s help in expanding their litter program in all of Richmond County by not littering in the same spaces they’re trying to keep clean.

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